Texas Family Law Orders – Modification and Enforcement

Court orders made in family law cases are initially made according to circumstances at the time of court hearings to decide those cases.

Whether they pertain to divorce orders, child support orders, or some other order, clients of family law attorneys are required to abide by those court orders to the best of their ability and work together with ex-spouses or co-parents to resolve developing issues. 

What Are Some Common Modification of Order Requests?

Two concerns that family law lawyers sometimes deal with are requests from their clients for modification of orders and complaints about issues relating to the enforcement of court orders.

It is understandable that after some time, issued court orders may become challenging to adhere to and modifications might be requested, but these are not always granted by the court.

When spouses take order concerns into their own hands without agreeing on changes and fail to adhere to the court-ordered document or even agreed changes, legal enforcement may be necessary. 

When Is A Modification Change Needed?

Considering that family law courts in Texas are usually reluctant to issue modifications to orders, family law attorneys are a valuable asset for helping their clients come up with workable solutions to problems that can arise over time.

Still, there are always cases where order modification is warranted and can be sought from the court using the required process.

To have the requested modifications granted, individuals and their family law lawyers must be able to show why the modification is necessary and prove that there is no other solution. 

What If A Modification Is Ignored By an Involved Spouse?

In cases where modifications are granted by the family law court, some might find that regardless of the legal decision their ex-spouse or co-parent does not abide by the new modifications.

When this happens, family law attorneys and their clients may then need to petition for legal enforcement of those modifications.

Since motions for enforcement may be civil, criminal, or otherwise, and involve the issuance of punishments, it is essential for clients to work with their family law attorney to discuss the motion and what punishment to seek from the court.

Enforcement order requests can arise from failure to pay child support and other custody-related order violations, divorce property division enforcement issues, and others. 

What Does All This Mean?

Court orders may be assigned by the Texas family court for a number of reasons.

When problems arise with regard to adherence to those orders, requested modifications may sometimes be granted by the court.

If one spouse or parent fails to adhere to court orders or modifications, motions for enforcement can be filed to force them to do so.

In any of these family law cases, clients should always involve their family law attorney to ensure their best chance at success.